Study Material: Ruth 1:20-22 20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.Today’s Teaching: After the death of Naomi’s husband and her two sons, she felt that she had been dealt a tough hand (v20). She felt that there was not much left for her (v21). After her other daughter–in-law left to return to her family, Ruth the Moabitess (the 2nd daughter-in-law), accompanied her back to her home in Bethlehem (v22). Naomi did not have much hope. She left her homeland as a wife and mother and was returning as a widow without children. It was a very big blow. Many left 2013 broken and entered into 2014 hopeless. But God is saying to you today that 2014 is a new beginning. It is not ironic that Naomi returned to her homeland at the beginning of the barley harvest (v22b). It was a time of reaping and filling of barns and bins. Harvests are a happy time in any location. It represents a change in seasons. Although Naomi was broken inside, her destination (her home town) was bubbling with harvest. No matter what you are broken up about today, your destination (heaven) is calling upon you to receive its joy. After a big blow, Naomi was at the point of a new beginning. Although mourning and hurt, she continued being a mother to Ruth. She taught her how to conduct herself when she got to the fields of Bethlehem. She advised her about how to remain close to the young women of Boaz so as to avoid being assaulted. She showed her love. She did not become a bitter or wicked woman, something that happens to many broken hearted people. Because of that, Ruth stuck close to Naomi; and when her breakthrough came, Naomi was blessed. A woman who was mourning was now filled with joy. When Ruth had a son with Boaz, the women of Bethlehem told Naomi: For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.” Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David (Ruth 4:15b-17 NIV). What a new beginning! Her story changed from widow without children to nursing an ancestor of Jesus Christ.Take Home Lesson: No matter the blows you received in 2013, the year 2014 is your year of healing. As Naomi’s story changed, here is an opportunity to change your story as well.Homework: Pray and say: Father, let my story change from bad to good, from good to better and from better to best. Let this New Year, my new opportunity; bring me new breakthroughs in Jesus’ name.